Jefferson Starship evolved from the ashes of psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane. Under this new moniker, the band took a markedly more radio-friendly approach to their songwriting. They didn't score any enduring classic hits like "White Rabbit," but they graced the airwaves of the 70s and early 80s with cuts like "Miracles" (#3), "Count On Me" (#8), "Jane" (#14), and "Find Your Way Back" (#29). In 1979, lead singer and founding member Marty Balin left and was replaced by Mickey Thomas, who was in the spotlight for taking Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around And Fell In Love" to #3 in 1976. At this point, founding member Grace Slick was kicked out of the band partly due to her drunken antics and rants on stage. She would rejoin the band by the 1981 record, "Nuclear Furniture." "No Way Out" comes from that same record, the last recorded before the group had to abandon the Jefferson Starship name for legal reasons after Paul Katner, another founding member, left the group. Thomas and Slick continued under the simplified name, Starship, until Slick left in 1988 to join a newly reformed Jefferson Airplane. "No Way Out" also marked the last top 40 hit for this version of the band, landing at #23 in 1984. As Starship, Thomas and Slick went on to become one of the biggest acts of the 80s. Stay tuned...
Jefferson Airplane began in San Francisco as a psychedelic rock band. Fronted by Marty Balin and Grace Slick, they scored a couple classic hits right out of the gate in 1967 when "Somebody To Love" hit #5 and "White Rabbit" hit #8. The band never hit the top 40 again under this moniker. Balin left in 1971 and rejoined in 1975, and their name evolved to Jefferson Starship. The music also changed as band members decided to ditch the psychedelic rock for a more pop-oriented sound. The band would go full-on into 80s pop when Balin was replaced by Mickey Thomas in 1979, the vocalist best known at the time for singing the Elvin Bishop hit "Fooled Around And Fell In Love." These personnel changes were accompanied by another name change that jettisoned the "Jefferson" part. "Come Back Baby" goes way back to their 1967 record, "Surrealistic Pillow" (more accurately, the 2003 reissue). An atypical tune for the band during this era, it is a cover of a traditional blues-styled rocker with a guitar riff that is hard to dislodge from your brain.
I am astonished to discover that The Jayhawks have never had a single top 100 hit, not even some of their more familiar numbers from when they broke through in the 1990s, like "Waiting For The Sun" and "Blue." This folk rock outfit has amassed a large collection of fan favorites, but their talent for melody and harmony comes through the best on 2003's "Rainy Day Music," which I consider to be their masterpiece. There's hardly any filler on this record at all, and "Save It For A Rainy Day" is just one of many standout tracks.
Jay and the Techniques were a rock and soul band from Pennsylvania that had a couple hits in 1967, but should have had a sustained career that made them a household name. This underrated group is remembered for the lost gem, "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie," which went to #6. Their follow-up singles, "Keep The Ball Rollin'" and "Strawberry Shortcake" hit #14 and #39, respectively. In 1968, "Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music" stalled at #64 and became their last chart appearance. What a shame. Such a terrific song; not sure why this group didn't keep it up well into the 70s. Help yourself to their greatest hits to see what I mean.
Jay & The Americans took the charts by storm in the 60s, earning themselves rank of #340 in the most successful charting artists of all-time. This New York-based group first scored in 1962 when "She Cried" hit #5. But their biggest hit was to follow: 1964's "Come A Little Bit Closer" reached #3. Other big ones included "Cara, Mia" (#4) and "Let's Lock The Door (And Throw Away The Key)" (#11). The group sustained hits until 1968, scoring another classic with "This Magic Moment" (#6). But the wind had gone out of the sails by 1970, when their last charting single, "Capture The Moment," peaked only at #57. "Why Can't You Bring Me Home" is a peppy number that got lost in the mix of their heyday hits, reaching just #63 in 1966. In my mind, it deserves to remembered as another classic in the band's catalogue.
Jars of Clay hail from Illinois and scored a lone top 40 hit when "Flood" peaked at #37 in 1996. The band is still going strong despite not having a presence on the charts any longer. "Fall Asleep" is a tender piano ballad that always captures my attention. It comes from their 2013 record, "Inland."
Sometimes confused with the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean were a famous surf pop duo of the 60s, first hitting the chart with the #10 smash "Baby Talk" in 1959. Their other biggest hits include the #1 "Surf City" from 1963, "Dead Man's Curve" (#8), and "The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)" (#3). The duo's career effectively ended when Jan was badly injured in a car crash in 1966. Dean would later sing on the 1966 Beach Boy hit, "Barbara Ann," but the duo quickly faded into memory until 1978 when their documentary, "Dead Man's Curve," reminded everyone of the tragic story that befell these very talented guys. "Linda" is one of their lesser-known hits. It reached a respectable #28 on the chart and was released just prior to their biggest hit, "Surf City."
One of my favorite rock vocalists, Jimi Jamison is best known as one of the singers for the 80s melodic rock band Survivor (replacing Dave Bickler in 1984). Jamison gave the band some of their biggest hits including "Burning Heart" and "The Search Is Over." Among the more high-profile bands he fronted prior to Survivor were Target and Cobra. He's also been a frequent backup singer for ZZ Top and Joe Walsh. As Survivor's popularity began to fade in the late 80s, Jamison tried his hand at a solo record. In 1991, he released "When Love Comes Down," which flopped despite some strong cuts like "Cry Alone" and the title track. He made a comeback of sorts with his single, "I'm Always Here," the theme to the inexplicable hit of a TV show, Baywatch. His second solo record, "Empires," failed to leverage the popularity of "I'm Always Here" and was another flop. Jamison returned to Survivor in 2000 but left again shortly after they released "Reach" in 2006. In 2008, he teamed with ex-Survivor and Ides of March member Jim Peterik to release another solo effort, "Crossroads." Thanks to the strong melodic songwriting of Peterik, "Crossroads Moment" sounds like a proper Survivor record and provided Jamison with a batch of songs that truly showcased his voice. Standout cuts include "As Is," "She's Nothing To Me," "Behind The Music," and the title track. Although nothing charted, this is a record worth tracking down if you enjoyed Jamison's tenure in Survivor (along with the "leftovers" album he did with Peterik called "Extra Moments.") "Never Too Late" was Jamison's final solo record before his untimely death in 2014 from a heart attack and stroke brought on by meth overdose. Another strong slice of melodic rock, the record once again proves how wonderful his voice was. "The Great Unknown" is just one of many highlights.
Ohio native Tommy James formed his group, the Shondells, when he was just 12 years old. They would go on to become the 47th most successful group of the 60s, scoring two #1 hits with "Hanky Panky" and "Crimson and Clover." Other top 10s included "I Think We're Alone Now" (#4), "Mirage" (#10), "Mony Mony" (#3), "Sweet Cherry Wine" (#7), and "Crystal Blue Persuasion" (#2). You'll probably recognize many songs on this impressive list as having been covered by other artists like Joan Jett, Tiffany, and Billy Idol. Tommy James struck out on a solo career in the 70s and, save one big hit with "Draggin' The Line" (#4, 1971), he didn't come close to the success experienced with the Shondells. Moving into the 80s, he adapted his sound to match the synth pop at the time, but this failed to reignite his career. If you're curious to hear the 80s version of Tommy James, check out "Go" and "Annie Came Knockin'" from the record "Hi Fi." "Somebody Cares" goes back to the glory days of 1968 when this wonderful tune peaked at a disappointing #53. However, it was the follow-up to "Mony Mony," - pretty big shoes to fill!
The legendary pipes of Etta James (aka Jamesetta Hawkins or Miss Peaches) should have racked up a ton of top 10 hits through the 60s, but surprisingly she was a stranger to the upper echelons of the chart. Her best performer was "Tell Mama," which managed to creep up to #23 in 1967. Perhaps her best known song, the sultry "At Last," which is a Grammy Hall of Fame winner as well as a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, only reached #47. James died of cancer in 2012 at the age of 73, living long enough to enjoy another Grammy, this one for Lifetime Achievement. She has left us the gift of an unmatched legacy of songs with breathtaking vocals. Most people recall her ballads, but James could belt out some earthshaking rock and roll, too. "Seven Day Fool" is a testament to this, but also revisit "Security" and "You Got It" for reminders.
James is a rock band from Manchester, England that started to grow a devoted fan base in the early 90s with cult hits like "Born of Frustration." They soon achieved some mainstream success with their hit record, "Laid," the title track of which gave them their biggest US hit, reaching #61 (it deserved much better). James released a terrific second single, "Say Something," but it failed to chart and the group fell off the radar. But they've been releasing some amazing stuff over the years and are still at it today. 2014's "Moving On" may be my favorite song by the band, and is accompanied by one of my favorite videos. Who would've thought that strings could make you cry?
English punk rockers The Jam never cracked the charts in the US but have been critically acclaimed for their energetic and thoughtful songs. Some of their better-known classics include "In The City," "That's Entertainment," and "Town Called Malice." "Town Called Malice" is one of those tunes that makes you both happy and sad. The music is undeniably jovial and challenges you not to dance, yet the lyrics describe harsh conditions in this town. I view the song as an optimistic anthem that positive change can happen if we make it so. Lead singer Paul Weller has stated the song was about his hometown of Woking, and the title was a spin on a novel called A Town Like Alice. People who grew up in the 80s probably recognize it as the song played in the movie National Lampoon's European Vacation. After the demise of The Jam, Weller would score some chart victories with The Style Council.
The massively talented Jackson family took the charts by storm as The Jackson 5 beginning in 1969 with the #1 smash "I Want You Back." They followed this up with three more consecutive #1 hits: "ABC," The Love You Save," and "I'll Be There." They almost made it six #1 hits in a row, but "Mama's Pearl" and "Never Can Say Goodbye" both topped out at #2. The group shortened their name to simply The Jacksons in 1976. They continued to rack up more hits on the charts through the 70s, earning them the 6th most successful artist from that decade (and #72 of all-time). By the 80s, the hits were a little fewer and far between, but the runaway success of brother Michael rejuvenated interest in the family group. Thanks to a little help from Mick Jagger, The Jacksons landed a #3 comeback hit in 1984 with "State Of Shock." "Walk Right Now" is a funky pop song from the band's 1980 effort, "Triumph." The song only reached #73, but remains an overlooked favorite of mine.
Millie Jackson is an R&B singer/songwriter from New Jersey. The entertaining and unpredictable artist had a string of minor hits through the 70s, her most successful being "Hurts So Good," which landed at #24 in 1973. "Ask Me What You Want" was a close second, landing at #27 in 1972. "Breakaway" surprisingly never charted - it's a catchy pop tune with some funk and attitude. Why did radio pass this one over back in 1973?
The most successful of the uber-talented Jackson family, Michael has been giving the charts a beating since his debut in 1971 when "Got To Be There" hit #4. His first of an astonishing thirteen #1 hits was the unlikely "Ben," the title song from a bizarre movie sequel about a pet killer rat. Michael's streak of smash hits in the 80s has earned him the #1 rank for most successful artist of that decade (he ranks #6 of all-time). Having sold over 66 million copies, his album "Thriller" remains the bestselling album in history. A lot of people might be surprised to see "Leave Me Alone" being featured here, but believe it or not, this song never charted in the US. "Leave Me Alone" was a CD bonus track and not released as a single in the US. When the video was released in 1987, Michael was already a dominating force on the chart. His record "Bad" yielded a record-breaking five consecutive #1 singles that year, and in 1988 "Another Part Of Me" reached #11 and "Smooth Criminal" hit #7. Michael's career began a slow fade in the 90s, in part due to his strange behavior and allegations of child molestation. Sadly, this legendary artist died of cardiac arrest from dubiously prescribed drugs in 2009 at the age of 50.
Joe Jackson is a versatile singer/songwriter from England who scored a handful of hits on the US charts in the 80s. His biggest chart hit was "Steppin' Out," which strutted to #6 in 1982. He also scored with "Is She Really Going Out With Him' (#21) and "Breaking Us In Two" (#18). As this song attests, Joe Jackson thought the world was filled with too many choices back in 1991. His head must be exploding these days. "It's All Too Much" comes from his underrated 1991 record, "Laughter And Lust."
There isn't much from Janet Jackson's impressive catalogue that wasn't a well-known hit; she is ranked the 9th best chart performing artist of all-time, and the 2nd best of the 1990s. Most people caught onto her talents in 1986 when she released "Control," her third album, which spawned huge hits like "What Have You Done For Me Lately" (#4), "Nasty" (#3), "When I Think Of You" (#1), "Control" (#5), "Let's Wait Awhile" (#2), and "The Pleasure Principle" (#14). Yes, all of those are from a single record, and her follow-up, 1989's "Rhythm Nation 1814" did even better. Many people are not aware that Janet Jackson had two albums prior to her breakout success. "Young Love" was her very first single from 1982, but it stalled at #64. Who else misses that early 80s funk?
Bull Moose Jackson (born Benjamin Jackson) was an underrated artist back in day, only cracking the chart with a single hit called "I Love You Yes I Do." The ballad hit #24 in 1948 and a new version hit #98 in 1961. A pleasant classic, but it does not represent the upbeat nature of most of his catalogue. The big and brassy romp, "Big Fat Mamas Are Back In Style," might have lyrics that are somewhat questionable in today's circles, but Big Obese Mamas just doesn't roll off the tongue as nicely. It's a wild and crazy song, and if you like the snark you'll enjoy mining the many other tunes by this unsung hero.
Terry Jacks is a one-hit wonder from Canada, who will always be cherished for his 1974 smash "Seasons In The Sun." The song spent three weeks at #1 in the US. Terry Jacks would never come close to that sort of success again, but did manage to score two additional top 100 singles that same year: "If You Go Away" (#68) and "Rock 'N' Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life)" (#97). "I'm Gonna Love You Too" has a throwback sound to the hits of Buddy Holly and was always a favorite of mine that deserved better.
Brian Jack was the powerhouse vocalist from the underrated Baltimore rock band Child's Play. What a pair of lungs on this guy! After he left Child's Play, Jack struck out on a solo career and, well, struck out. His debut album was called "Promise of Love" and marked a departure from the hairband rock of Child's Play into an adult contemporary sound. The result is a record of sappy love songs, which took a number of fans by surprise. The acoustic-driven track "Hard Goodbye" is simply beautiful. From the lyrical imagery to the heartfelt vocal, this one should have made Jack a household name, but it wasn't meant to be. Jack passed away in 2012, well before his time. Which makes the song seem even sadder. The full album is below, but "Hard Goodbye" starts at 3:35.
Hailing from Wales, The Iveys featured Pete Ham and Tom Evans on guitars and vocals, and later scored international fame as Badfinger. You can hear their trademark harmonies in this early incarnation of the band. "Maybe Tomorrow" peaked at #67 in 1969.
The legendary Isley Brothers scored a ton of hits in the 60s and 70s, such as "It's Your Thing" (#2), "That Lady" (#6), and "Fight The Power" (#4). Surprisingly, some of their best known classics performed less modestly, such as "Shout - Part 1" (#47), "Twist and Shout" (#17), and "This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)" (#12). "Freedom" was released in 1971 and only reached #72. Seemed it had the ingredients to score a higher chart position, but that didn't happen for some reason.
